Downstairs
Nobody asked Steve if he wanted a roommate they just dropped George in and expected things to go swimmingly. Nobody considered guys like Steve generally keep to themselves. Steve has always been a solitary man – or at least he was until George showed up – Siamese fighting fish aren’t famous for their hospitality.
Steve has been living the life of Fergus upstairs for the past couple of months, he is the most recent in a line of colorful Betas to have fallen into the lap of luxury that is bestowed upon all those fortunate enough to land at the top of the stairs.
Steve is the current resident of Le Chateau du Poisson – he’s followed the fin-steps of others with less fortitude and is living proof too much of a good thing isn’t always a bad thing. He is a tough little character who has survived an algae bloom, a chemical dump and a tsunami of bottled spring water. Now he’s been unceremoniously introduced to George, a snail of the Mystery variety, and expected to cope.
People seem to have forgotten Steve and his siblings had to be separated at birth lest only one of the family survive to be marketed in a teacup at the pet store. Steve and his type are not neighborly. George, and others of his genus, are known for their good naturedness – Mystery snails are placid and easy going. Snails can generally cope with anybody.
I was introduced to George last Sunday. I was told he was an outgoing little critter for starters but was taking a breather tucked between two pebbles behind a purple plastic plant – I pretended to see him. Steve was patrolling the waterways in an athletic fashion – a fish on a mission – and had obviously put the run on George.
Steve was purchased based on his stunning good looks and had been happily stealing a one fish show until Saturday. Poor old George was acquired to clean up after Steve and would have done just that had he not been scared out of his wits and back into his shell on his inaugural lap around his exotic new home. It’s too early to tell if George has the stuff to face his finny foe.
I’m a big fan of Steve’s and I’m sorry his world has been upset but I might be on team George right now – I’m a sucker for an underdog and us suckers gotta stick together.
Upstairs
Bad news…maybe?
So, dear readers, I may have some bad news to share. I came downstairs this morning to collect a cup of coffee and say hello to my friends Steve and George. I’ve become accustomed to George hanging out on the side of the bowl, and Steve lounging in his leaf hammock. It felt like an uneasy truce had been struck between the fish and the snail and they had been getting along, or at least ignoring each other for the past 24 hours or so. George was happily suctioned to the bowl, antennae out, doing what snails do. Steve was in his hammock, his feathery fins wafting with the currents. All was peaceful and I went about preparing for the day.
Shortly after 8am I arrived back downstairs after showering and dressing to find a very different scene. Steve was still lounging in his leaf hammock, but George was now floating at the edge of the bowl! I dont know about you, but I’ve never seen a snail float. Suspecting something was amiss I quickly googled “why is my snail floating?” Shockingly it was the second suggested question from the top. Who knew floating snails was a thing? According to the google: “The snail deliberately traps air in its shell and floats away in an attempt to change locations. Another reason for floating may be the search for food on the water surface. In some cases, if the floating lasts for more than a couple of days, it may be an indication that the snail is ill or even dead.”
Ok. So he might be dead, hungry, or trying to get away from his jerk of a roommate. I’ll continue my surveillance and report back. We’re pulling for you George. Steve, stay in your hammock and leave the poor snail alone.